Water Cooler

Sunday

Nov 29, 2009 at 12:01 AMNov 29, 2009 at 10:29 AM

Free public Wi-Fi

The number of free public Wi-Fi or wireless local area network locations in the U.S. is 81 percent greater than the amount worldwide, according to a recent study. Nearly half of those U.S. locations are cafes, bars and restaurants, while paid public Wi-Fi is more common in airports, travel centers, campgrounds, hotels and convention centers, according to the report from online media company JiWire Inc. Based on data from approximately 280,000 public Wi-Fi locations, as well as 2,633 people randomly selected in about 80 U.S. airports, the survey found that 26 percent of business travelers visit social-networking sites, compared with twice as many personal travelers. About a third from each group look for local information. Less than a fifth of airport Wi-Fi users spent less than 30 minutes online, while about a third spend more than an hour on the Internet, the data said. "The idea, particularly when it comes to business travelers, has been that they're just checking their e-mail quickly before hopping on a plane," said David Staas, the senior vice president of marketing for JiWire. "Actually, they're connected for an extended time checking social networks, maybe gaming online, shopping, killing time and mixing business with pleasure."

Free public Wi-Fi

The number of free public Wi-Fi or wireless local area network locations in the U.S. is 81 percent greater than the amount worldwide, according to a recent study. Nearly half of those U.S. locations are cafes, bars and restaurants, while paid public Wi-Fi is more common in airports, travel centers, campgrounds, hotels and convention centers, according to the report from online media company JiWire Inc. Based on data from approximately 280,000 public Wi-Fi locations, as well as 2,633 people randomly selected in about 80 U.S. airports, the survey found that 26 percent of business travelers visit social-networking sites, compared with twice as many personal travelers. About a third from each group look for local information. Less than a fifth of airport Wi-Fi users spent less than 30 minutes online, while about a third spend more than an hour on the Internet, the data said. "The idea, particularly when it comes to business travelers, has been that they're just checking their e-mail quickly before hopping on a plane," said David Staas, the senior vice president of marketing for JiWire. "Actually, they're connected for an extended time checking social networks, maybe gaming online, shopping, killing time and mixing business with pleasure."